Hindmarsh has been the dominant barley variety grown in the Wimmera and Mallee in recent years. However, newer varieties such as Skipper, La Trobe, Fathom and now Compass have caught the eye of many. Over the past two years, these varieties have matched Hindmarsh for yield in BCG and National Variety Trials (NVT). Grower frustration about Hindmarsh’s lack of competitiveness against weeds means that interest in varieties with similar yield potential and better agronomic traits (such as weed competition) will be high.
TAKE HOME MESSAGES
- Compass (bred as WI4593) is a legitimate contender to replace Hindmarsh, but growers will
need to wait until 2015 to acquire seed. - Those still growing Gairdner are costing themselves at least 15-20% in yield.
- Fathom (feed) has a potential fit on deep sands in the Mallee, and La Trobe is an alternative
to Hindmarsh in all regions, but it is yet to be Malt accredited.
MARKET ACCESS
Choosing a variety based on its agronomic characteristics is just one piece of the puzzle. Delivery site access and marketability can change the overall suitability and profitability of each variety.
VARIETY DESCRIPTIONS*
Bass: mid-late maturing malt variety with good grain plumpness and yield potential when compared to Baudin. Good straw strength and tolerance to lodging, high resistance to pre-harvest sprouting and good head retention. MS-S to scald and NFNB blotches, S to powdery mildew and SFNB, S to CCN. Limited malt access at this stage; marketing options should be considered before growing. Released 2012, marketed by InterGrain/Syngenta. EPR $3.50.
Buloke: early to mid-season maturing, that has a moderately slow early growth. Average grain plumpness, moderately weak straw strength and has a similar level of tolerance to pre-harvest sprouting similar to Gairdner. MR to powdery mildew and NFNB, whilst S to CCN, MS-S to leaf scald and SFNB. Export malt quality with stable demand and widespread segregation. Seed available from Seednet. EPR $2.
Commander: mid maturing variety, broadly adapted, but better suited to higher rainfall areas (375-500mm). Inherently lower grain protein than any other varieties, prone to lower test weights, but excellent grain plumpness. R to CCN, MS-S to SFNB, NFNB and leaf scald. MR-MS to powdery mildew. High quality malting variety with increasing export brewing markets becoming available. Segregation widespread. Seed available from Viterra. EPR $3.80.
Compass: mid-season variety agronomically similar in many ways to Commander although initial results suggest it may be higher yielding and offer slightly improved straw strength. Good grain quality attributes: high retention, low screenings and moderate test weight. MS to SFNB, MS-S to NFNB, and R to CCN. MS to leaf scald. Currently undergoing malt evaluation; expected commercial release in 2015. Seed will be marketed by Seednet.
Fairview: mid-late maturing malt variety suited to higher rainfall areas (400-600mm) where yield is comparable to Gairdner and Commander. Grain plumpness superior to Gairdner. MS-S to SFNB; S-VS to leaf scald. Export malt quality profile; marketed via closed loop supply chain through Malteurop. EPR $3. Fathom: early-maturing feed variety developed from wild barley to improve stress tolerance and water use efficiency; broad adaptation and consistently high yields. Good early vigour and weed competitiveness; well suited to wider row spacing. R to CCN, MR to SFNB and scald, MR-MS to powdery mildew and MS-S to NFNB and rust. Generally good straw strength, very low screenings and high test
weights. Released 2011, marketed by Viterra. EPR $2.
Fleet: midseason maturing variety with plump grain but slightly lower test weights than Hindmarsh. Resistant to CCN, MR-MS to NFNB and powdery mildew and MR to SFNB. MS-S leaf scald and leaf rust. Seed available from Viterra. EPR $1.50.
Flinders: mid-late maturing variety; moderately short with good straw strength and head retention. Good grain plumpness and test weights. S to CCN, MS-S to SFNB, MS to NFNB, S to scald, and R to powdery mildew. Currently under evaluation and seed sales limited to those participating in these trials. Anticipated release 2014/15 to be marketed by InterGrain. EPR $3.80.
Gairdner: moderately late maturing variety. In lower rainfall districts can yield well with favourable spring finishes. High screenings in a dry finish is common, lower protein than Schooner and lower grain plumpness than other malting varieties. S to SFNB, CCN, powdery mildew and leaf rust. MR-MS to NFNB and S-VS to leaf scald. Accepted by both domestic and export brewing markets, which are stable at the moment. Seed available from Heritage seeds. No EPR.
GrangeR: mid-late maturing high yielding malt variety with strong straw, good grain plumpness and low screenings. Good levels of resistance to powdery mildew, leaf rust and NFNB, but S to SFNB, CCN and leaf scald. Accredited malt variety in 2013, so segregation and market access very limited. Seek marketing advice prior to growing this as malt variety. Marketed by Heritage Seeds. EPR $2.95. Hindmarsh: early maturing semi dwarf feed variety with exceptional yield potential even in dry years. Slow early growth and excellent grain plumpness and test weights. R to CCN, S to SFNB and leaf scald. MR-MS to NFNB. MS to powdery mildew and MSS to leaf rust. Seed available from Seednet. EPR $1.50.
LaTrobe: early maturing semi dwarf variety with growth habit and performance similar to Hindmarsh and expected to be its replacement. Resistant to CCN and NFNB, but susceptible to SFNB. Released and available for planting in 2014 however, there has been a delay in its malt accreditation so it will need to be treated as feed while it undergoes stage two malt assessments again. Expected to be accredited by 2015. Marketed by InterGrain. EPR $4.
Navigator: mid-late maturing malt variety similar to Gairdner; but offering higher yield potential, improved physical grain quality, and strong disease package with the exception of leaf rust (VS). Dormancy and pre harvest sprouting characteristics similar to Schooner. Segregation is still a concern so growers are advised to seek marketing advice prior to sowing this variety. Released 2011, marketed by Viterra. EPR $3.80.
Oxford: late maturing variety with good straw strength and head retention. Oxford failed to achieve malt accreditation. Susceptible to CCN and SFNB and MS to leaf scald. R to powdery mildew and MR-MS to NFNB. Seed is available from Heritage seeds. EPR $2.50.
Scope CL: tall early-mid season variety with moderate to high yield potential. Disease profile similar to Buloke; more susceptible to leaf rust strains and SFNB. Malt accreditation gained in 2013, but full market acceptance may take some time; segregation options limited. Scope CL is the only registered barley variety in which an appropriate BASF Clearfield herbicide can be used. Released 2010, marketed through Seednet. EPR $2.70.
Skipper: early-mid maturing variety adapted to mid and low rainfall environments; similar maturity to Hindmarsh and plant type to Buloke. Very poor straw strength and most likely to lodge in environments greater than 2.5t/ha. Good grain plumpness, test weight and low screenings similar to Commander. A useful disease package with exceptions being S to scald, and S-VS to leaf rust. Released in 2011, it is currently undergoing malt evaluation expected to be completed in 2015.
SY Rattler: mid-maturing, medium height variety recommended for high rainfall regions. S to SFNB, MR to NFNB, MS to leaf scald. Initially released in 2012, is currently in stasis mode for malting accreditation. Marketed by Grainsearch. EPR $3.
Westminster: mid-late maturing, moderately tall variety with good straw strength and improved head retention. Useful disease package, with the exception of SFNB to which it is susceptible. Initially released in 2009, gained malt accreditation in 2013. Marketed by Grainsearch. EPR $3.
Wimmera: mid-late variety with similar habit to Gairdner; higher yield potential and improved scald and leaf rust resistance. Released in 2011; currently undergoing malt evaluation with a decision expected in 2014, Wimmera has malting qualities that would be suited to a range of domestic and export markets. Marketed by Viterra. EPR to be determined.
* source: DEPI winter crop summary 2013 and SARDI sowing guide 2014)
Disease ratings: R = Resistant, RMR = Resistant to moderately resistant, MR = Moderately resistant, MRMS = Moderately resistant to moderately susceptible, MS = Moderately susceptible, MSS = Moderately susceptible to susceptible, S = Susceptible, SVS = Susceptible to very susceptible, VS = Very susceptible.
Maturity: VE = very early, E = early, ME = moderately early, M = mid season, L = late
Height: T = Tall, MT = moderately tall, M = medium, MS = moderately short, S = short
^Indicates varieties undergoing malt accreditation
Head loss and lodging: R = resistant, MR = moderately resistant, S = susceptible, MS = moderately susceptible.
Standing ability: relative values based on a 0-9 scale, a high figure indicating the variety expresses the character to a high degree.
Fairview ratings sourced direct from Seedvise, (as not listed in 2013 GRDC Victorian Winter Crop Summary).
